Located on Highway 252, approximately 2 miles east of Highway 71, Dayton had been a settlement some twenty years before the first post office was established in 1873 overseen by postmaster Dr. A.C. Miller. With one of the first established area roads (from Fort Smith to Waldron) running directly through the community, Dayton at one time had a school, a cotton gin, a grist mill, and two churches: Dayton Church Of Christ and Dayton Baptist Church which, of these original structures, is the only one still standing.

Established in 1875, the Dayton Baptist Church first met in numerous places including the community building, the school house, and a building shared with the Dayton Church of Christ, before finally building a structure of their own. The Church of Christ met in various places also, before erecting their own building in 1922; a wooden structure, replaced in 1955 with the brick building presently being used.

The well-known Dayton Community Building now stands in place of the old school, housing an active 4-H club and an Extension Homemakers Club, as well as serving as the site for various fund-raisers, reunions, and other get-togethers, while also offering activities to local youth with a basketball/tennis court built on the grounds.

While not as populated as it once was, Dayton is still the perfect place for those tired of city living. With wide open spaces and rich farm land you can hardly go wrong with the Dayton township.

CLICK HERE for original plat of Dayton Community.